Mining machine



7 Sept 6, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,375,340

MINING MACHINE Filed March 20, 1930 5 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z 20 114 Zf 34643 5 j? Z 30 41 1' I 28 I 62 f 66 64 7 LJ fizz/anion" morrwfifi alwdfi M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Sept. 6, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed March 20, 1930 I OJJ E Patented Sept. 6, 1932 PATENT ori ice 1IHORRIS P. I-IOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR. TO SULLIVANMA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS mechanism isobtained.

MINING MACHINE "Application filed March 20, 1930. Serial No. 437,368.

his invention relates to improvements in mining machines and moreparticularly to improved feeding means for a coal mining machine of thecontinuous cutter, bottom cutting type.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved feeding meansfor acoal mining machine, and more particularly an improved flexible feedingmeans for a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, bottom cuttingtype. Another object is to provide an improved flexible feeding meansfor a coal mining machine of the room and pillar type whereby themachine may be fed and controlled in a more efiicient and advantageousmanner. A still'further object is to provide an improved flexiblefeeding means for a coal mining machine wherein relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members are employed for feeding and guiding the machinathe feed operating and con trolling members and thedriving mechanism therefor being arranged inan improved man- 'nerwhereby an extremely compact "feeding is to provide an improved flexiblefeeding means of th aforesaid character wherein the feed operating andcontrolling members are arranged within the lateral limits of themachine and driven in animproved manner, there being provided improvedtransmission mechanism whereby the feed operating and controllingmembers may be driven either separately or simultaneously in a directionto draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively lowspeed or at relatively high speed to suit different mining conditions.Yet another object is to provide feeding mechanism of the aforesaidcharacter having I embodied therein improved controllingmechanisiuwhereby the feed operating and con trolling members may rotatein a direction to pay out their respective feeding means under variousdegrees of operator-controlled frictional resistance or without suchresistance. These and other objects willhereinafter more fully appear inthe course of the ensuing description and as more particularly pointedout the appended claims.

l In the accompanying drawings there is till another object shown forpurposes of illustration one form.

which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improvedcoal mining machine. a

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view illustrating thestructural details of the improved flexible feeding means.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional Viewtaken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig.4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially online H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the operating means for the feedcontrol clutches.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the improved feedingmeans is shown incorporated in a coal mining machine of the continuouscutter, bottom cutting, room and pillar type although obviously thevarious novel features of the improved feeding means may be embodied inmining machines of various othertypes in an equally effective manner.The mining machine generally comprises a low compact machine frameorbody 1 having a smooth plane bottom surface 2 upon which the machineis slidably supported for movement over the mine bottom.Projectingforwardly lengthwiseof the machine frame and rigidly securedthereto is a usual plane cutterbar 3 carrying on its margin a usualendless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 4. In the present construction,arranged in a novel manner at the'end of the machine frame remote fromthe cutter bar are relatively rotatable feed operating and controllingerably of the reversible electric type, having its power shaft 10horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. Anysuitable type of transmission means may be provided between the frontend of the motor shaftlO and the cutter chain for circulating the latterabout the margin of the cutterbar, for instance, transmission meanssimilar to that disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 179,357,filed March 29, 1927, now matured into Patent No. 1,815,873, patentedJuly 21, 1931. The feed and controlling drums 5 and 6 are operativelyconnected to the rear end of the motor shaft 10 through improvedtransmission means to be hereinafter described. Arranged at the rear endof the machine frame are suitable guide sheaves 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15,while located at the opposite sides of the front end of the machineframe are guide sheaves 16 and 17, and the feed cables after passingaround any preferred guide sheaves may be extended in any preferreddirection from the machine and attached to suitably positioned anchorsin the manner which is well understood in the min-- ing machine art.

Now referring to the improved feeding means, and more particularly tothe improved driving means therefor, it will be noted th keyed to therear end of the motor shaft 1 is a spur pinion 18 meshing with anintermediate gear 19 which in turn drives a spur gear 20 fixed to ahorizontal shaft 21. This shaft extends longitudinally of the machineand is suitably journaled within the lower part of the feed framesection. Fixed to the rear end of the shaft 21 is a worm 22 meshin witha fast speed worm wheel 23 connectible by multiple disc clutches 24 and25 of a usua design, to aligned shafts 26 and 27 respectively. Theseshafts are arranged on a horizontal axis extending transversely of themachine and. suitably journaled within the feedframe section. Each ofthese clutches includes interleaved clutch elements certain of'which arecarried by the worm wheel while others are carried by a clutch elementkeyed to the shaft. Fixed to the outer ends of the shaft 26, 27 are spurpinions 28 and 29 respectively meshing with internal gears 30 and 31preferably formed integral with the feed drums 5 and 6. W hen the clutch24 is applied and clutch 25 released the feed drum may be driven inwinding direction at a relatively high haulage speed by the motor 9through gearing 18, 19, 20, shaft 21, worm gearing 22, 23, shaft 26 andthe pinion 28 meshing with the internal gear secured to the drum... Whenthe clutch 25 is applied and clutch 24 released the feed drum 6 drivenfrom the motor in winding direction at a similar speed through similargearing.

Now referring to the slow speed drive for the feed drums, it will benoted that fixed to the shaft 21 adjacent its forward end is a worm 32meshing at its opposite sides with. and driving, worm wheels 33 and 34disposed on vertical axes at opposite sides of the central longitudinalmedian line of the machine. these worm wheels being so arranged that theworm 32 effects rotation thereof in opposite directions. The worms 33and 34 are fixed to vertical shafts 35 and 36 respectively suitablyjournaled Within the feed frame section and having fixed thereto Worms37 and 38. These worms mesh respectively with slow speed worm wheels 39and 40 arranged in coaxial relation and rotatably supported on alignedhorizontal shafts 41 and 42 respectively. These shafts, in the presentinstance, are arrangedon a horizontal axis extending transversely of themachine in parallelism with and in front of the aligned shafts 26, 27.Fixed to the outer ends of the shafts 41 and 42 respectively are spurpinions 43 and 44 meshing with the internal gears 30 and 31 secured tothe drums. The worm wheels 39 and 40 are connectible with theirrespective shafts 41, 42 by multiple disc clutches 45 and 46. It willthus be seen that when the clutch 45 is applied and clutch 46 releasedthe feed drum 5 may be driven in winding direction at arelatively slowspeed appropriate for cutting,,through gearing 18, 19, 20, worm gearing32, 33, 37, 39, and spur pinion 43 meshing with the internal gearsecured to the drum. When the friction clutch 46 is applied and clutch45 released, control drum 6 may be driven in winding direction at asimilar speed through a similar train of gearing. It will also be notedthat the drums may be rotated in winding direction either separately orsimultaneously and that the sets of friction clutches 24, 45, and 25, 46may be so released as to permit the feed and control drums to rotate inunwinding direction under various degrees of operator-controlledfrictional resistance and that upon release of the clutches the feeddrums may be entirely relieved from any action of the friction clutches.

The operating means for the sets of friction clutches will now bedescribed. Cylindrical plane pressure plates 47 and 48, having fingersprojecting through apertures in the end plates of the Worm wheels 39 and40 into engagement with the adjacent end discs of the friction clutches45 and 46, are employed for controlling these clutches. Pivoted shipperyokes 49 and 50 equipped with rollers engaging the plane surfaces of thepressure plates 47,48 respectively are employed for actuating thesepressure plates. Similar pivoted shipper yokes 51 and 52 are providedfor actuating the pressure plates 53 and 54 for controlling the frictionclutches 24 and 25. To prevent simultaneous application of the frictionclutches 25 and 46 controlling the feed drum 6, there are providedconnections between the shipper yokes for these clutches, hereinincluding arms 55 and 56 on the shipper yokes and connected by atransverse link 57, this link being pivotally connected at its ends tothe arms. The shipper yoke 50 is fixed to a vertical shaft 58 havingsecured thereto at its upper end an operating lever 59. Similar linkconnections 60 and operating lever 61 are employed for the shipper yokes49 and 51. It will therefore be seen that only one clutch of each setcan be applied atone time.

As above referred to, the feed drums 5 and 6 are arranged within thelateral limits of the machine frame and in the present instance aredisposed within recesses or chambers 62 and 63 formed Within theopposite sides of the feed frame section. The bearing structure for bothdrums isthe same instructure and herein comprises stub shafts 64project-- ing laterally from the sides of the feed frame section.Supported by these stub shafts are anti-fricti0n hearings on which thedrums are rotatably mounted, thedrums being composed of two partsdetachably secured to-' gether to form an'internal chamber 66 withinwhich the bearing structure is housed. Various modes of operation of theimproved feeding means will be clearly apparent to those skilled in theart, and as the method of use of a room and pillar mining machine iswell-known a description of the general mode of operation of the machineis thought unnecessary.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved feedingmeans is provided for a coal mining machine wherein the feed andcontrolling members and the driving mechanism therefor are arranged inan extremely compact manner whereby the lateral and vertical limits ofthe machine are materially reduced. It will further be noted that animproved flexible feeding means is provided for a coal mining machine ofthe room and pillar type whereby the machine is fed and guided in a moreflexible and eliicient manner. It will further be evident that im r veddriving and controlling mechanism is provided for the feeding memberswhereby the latter may be rotated either separately or simultaneously inwinding di rection relatively low speed or at relatively high speed, ormay rotate in unwinding direction under various degrees ofoperator-controlled frictional resistance or without such resistance, asconditions may require, thereby materially improving the operation andcontrol of the machine, These and other advantages of the improvedfeeding means will'bo clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application speciii-c means, and motor operateddriving means therefor including afast speed gear train and a slow speedgear train, each train having a final rotatable driving element and saidelements rotating about fixed axes offset from the feed member axis andhaving driving engagement with said spaced points.

2. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a. rotatable feed memberadapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motoroperated driving means therefor including a gear secured to said feedmember, a .1 speed gear train and av slow speed gear train, each trainhaving final driving gear and said final driving gears meshing with saidfeed member gear at spaced points.

3. A minins machine feeding mechanism including a rotatable feedingmember adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmotor operated driving means therefor including an internalgear securedto said feed member, a fast speed gear train and a slow speed geartrain, each train having final driving gear and said final driving gearsmeshing with said feed member gear at spaced points.

4. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means therefor including a fast speedgear train and a slow speed mechanism, said feed member at train andmechanism each having final rotatable drive elementsrotating about fixedaxes ofiset from the feed member axis and each having one of its finalrotatable drive elements having driving engagement with each of saidfeed members, the final rotatable drive elements havingengagement witheach feed member having driving engagement therewith at spaced points.

5. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means therefor including a gearsecured to each feed member, a fast speed gear train and a slow speedmechanism, said train and mechanism each having final driving gears andeach having one of its final driving gears meshing with each of saidfeed member driving gear meshing with each of said feed member gears,the final driving gears meshing with each feed member gear meshing withthe latter at spaced points.

7. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means therefor including a slow speedgear mechanism having coaxial driving elements and a fast speed geartrain having a single driving element rotating on an axis parallel totheraxis of said coaxial elements, and clutch mechanism for connectingone of said feed members to one of said slow speed driving elements andthe other feed member to said other slow speed driving element and forconnecting either feed member in dr ring relation with said fast speeddriving element, each of said driving elements having an element coaxialtherewith in driving engagement with a feed member.

8. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotataolefeed memb each adapted .to cooperate directly with fie, ble feedingmeans, and motor operated driv ing means for said members includingthree terminal worm wheels, two of which are slow speed worm wheelsWhile the other is a fast speed worm wheel, friction clutches forconnecting one feed member to one slow speed worm wheel and the otherfeed member to the other slow speed worm wheel and friction clutches forconnecting either of said feed members in driving relation with saidfast speed worm wheel.

9. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including threeterminal worm wheels, two of which are slow speed worm wheels while theother is a fast speed worm wheel, two being coaXially arranged while thethird rotates on a parallel axis, friction clutch s for connecting onefeed member to one slow speed worm wheel and the other feed member tothe other slow speed worm wheel and friction clutches for connectingeither of said feed members in driving relation with said fast speedworm wheel.

10. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including aseparate and distinct slow speed worm gear train for each feed memberand a separate fast speed worm gear train common to the drive of bothfeed members.

11. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated drivtrains, one individual to each feedmember,

respectively having final driving gears engaging the gears .on said feedmembers and a fast speed gear train common to the drive of both membershaving final driving gears also engaging said feed member gears.

13. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including agear secured to each feed member, slow speed gear trains, one individualto each feed member,

espectively having final driving gears engaging the gears on said feedmembers and a fast speed gear train common to the drive of both membershavmg final driving gears also engaging said feed member gears, saidfinal driving gears of said respective gear trains rotating on parallelaxes and engaging said feed member gears at spaced points.

14-. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members disposed at the same end of the machine and each adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operateddriving means for said feed members including coaxial worms, worm wheelsdriven respectively thereby, driving connections between one of saidworm wheels and one of said feed members and driving connections betweensaid other worm Wheel and said other feed member.

15. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said feed members includingcoaxial worms, two worm wheels meshing with one of said worms, a thirdworm wheel meshing with said other worm, driving con nections betweensaid two worm wheels and said feed members respectively and drivingconnections between the said third worm wheel and both of said feedmembers.

16. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said feed members includingcoaxial worms, two worm wheels meshing with one of said worms, a thirdworm wheel meshing with said other worm, driving connections betweensaid two worm wheels and said feed members respectively, drivingconnections between the said third worm wheel and both of said feedmembers, and friction clutches for selectively connecting said feedmembers in driving relation with their respective worm wheels.

17. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said feed members includingcoaxial worms, two worm wheels meshing with one of said worms, a thirdworm wheel meshing with the other worm and disposed on an axis lying ina plane at right angies to the axes of said other worm wheels, drivingconnections between said two worm wheels and said feed membersrespectively, driving connections between said third worm wheel and bothof said feed members, and friction clutches for selectively connectingsaid feed members in driving relation with their respective worm wheels.

18. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said feed members includingcoaxial worms rotating on longitudinally ex tending axes, two wormwheels meshing with one of said worms, a third worm wheel meshing withsaid other worm, driving connections between said two worm wheels andsaid feed members respectively, and driving connections between the saidthird worm wheel and both of said feed members.

19. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with fiexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said feed members includingcoaxialworms rotating on longitudinaly extending axes, two worm wheelsmeshing with one of said worms, a third worm wheel meshing with saidother worm, driving connections between said two worm wheels and saidfeed members respectively, driving connections beflexible feeding means,and motor operated flexible feeding means, and motor operatedconnections therewith, means for driving sai the axes of said other wormwheelsgdriving connections between said two worm wheels and said feedmembers respectively, driving connections between said, third worm wheeland both of said feed members, and friction clutches for selectivelyconnecting said feed membersin driving relation with their respectiveworm wheels.-

21. A miningmachine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members includingseparate and distinct slow speed worm gear train for each feed member,and a separate fast speed gear train common to the drive of both feedmembers.

22. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with driving meansfor said members including a separate and distinct slow speed gear trainforeach feed member, and a separate fast speedworm geartrain common tothe drive of both feed members, said worm gear train being inoperativeto drive said members duringdriving of the latter through said firstmentioned gear trains.

23. A mining machine feeding mechanism includingrelatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including apair of alined shafts one connected to each member, a second pair ofvalined shafts one connected to each member, the shafts connected to eachmember havingmutually distinct 'connections. therewith, and driving.

'drivingmeans for said members including member, a second pair of alinedshafts one connected to eachmember, the shafts connected to each memberhaving mutually distinct shafts of one pair at one speed, and means fori driving said shafts of said other pair at a different speed.

25. A mining machine feeding mechanism flexible feeding'means, and motoroperated driving means for said members lncluding a pair of-alinedshafts one connected to each i d lli including relatively rotatablefeeding mem- ,bers each adapted to cooperate directlywith a pair ofalined shafts one connected to each "member, a second pair of alinedshafts one tinct connections therewith, separate slow speed drivingmeans for the shafts of one pair and a common fast speed driving-meansfor said shafts of said other pair.

26. A mimng machinefeeding-mechanismincluding relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to'cooperate directly withflexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for effectingrotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction todraw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speedor at relatively low speed including a horizontal longitudinal extendingshaft, worms secured to said shaft and driven thereby separate drivingconnections between one of said worms and said members, and drivingconnections common to both members between said other worm and saidmembers.

27. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for effectingrotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction todraw in their respective flexible feeding means at relative- 1y highspeed or at relatively low speed in cluding a motor shaft, a horizontallongitudinally extending shaft driven thereby, sep' arate and distinctslow speed drivingconnections between said shaft and said feedingmembers, and a common fast speed driving connection between said shaftand said feeding members. r

28. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relativelyrotatablefeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexiblefeeding'means, and motor operateddriving means for said members foreffecting-rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in adirection to draw in their respective flexible feeding means atrelatively high speed or at relatively low speed including a motorshaft, a horizontallongitudinal-ly extending shaft driven thereby,separate and distinct slow speed driving connections between said shaftand each feed member, and a: common fast speed driving connectionbetween said shaft and said feed members, and friction clutches foroperatively connecting either member to either driving connection.

29. A mining machine feedingmechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible.feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members foreffecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaineously in; adirection to. draw in their respective flexible feeding means atrelatively high speed or at relatively low speed including; separate anddistinct gear trains for each member, said gear trains includingterminal gears arranged in, coaxial relation, a gear train common to.the drive of both members and including a terminal gear disposed withits axis parallelto the axes of said first mentioned terminal gears, andclutches for connecting said members in driving relation with saidterminal gears;

30. A mining machine feeding mechanism r including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly withflexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including ahorizontal longitudinally extending shaft, 7 worms secured to saidshaft-and driven thereby, worm wheels meshing with one of said worms, aworm wheel meshing with said other worm, clutch devices for connectingsaid members in driving relation with said first mentioned worm wheelsrespectively, and clutch devices for connecting said memb ers. indriving relation with said last mentioned worm wheel. A

31. A mining machine feeding mechanism 33 including relatively rotatablefeeding members each'adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members includingalined shafts one connected to each member, a separate slow speeddriving mechanism for each shaft, alined shafts parallel with saidshafts and connected to said members respectively, and a fast speeddriving mechanism for said last mentioned alined' shafts. 32. Aminingm-achine feedingmechanism including a rotatable feed member.arranged with its axis lying in a transverse vertical plane and adaptedto cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operateddrivingmeans for said member including a gear secured to said member, afast speed gear train incl-udin a gear meshing with said feed membergear, and a slow speed gear train including a gear also meshing withsaid feed member gear. 33. A mining machine feeding mechanism includinga rota-tabl'e'feed member arranged with its. axis lying in a transversevertical plane and adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said member including a gearsecured to said member, a plural speed transmission mechanism includingworm wheels rotating on parallel axes, and gears driven by said wormwheels respectively and meshing with said feed member gear.

34. A mining machine feeding mechanism includinga rotatable feed memberadapts cooperate directly with flexible feeding i and motor operateddriving means for member including a gear secr ed to said member, a.plural speed transm including worm wheels rota axes lying in transversevertical plane gears driven by said worm wheels re iectively and meshingwith said feed member gear.

35. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed memberarranged with its axis lying in a transverse vertical plane and adaptedto f cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operateddriving means for said member includ ing a gear secured to said member,a plural speed transmission mechanism including worm wheels rotating onparallel axes, gears driven by said worm wheels respectively andmeans,and motor operated driving means for said member including wormsrotating on horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine,worm wheels driven therebyand rotating on parallel axes, gears arrangedcoaxially with said worm wheels respectively, a gear secured to saidfeed member andwith which said last mentioned gears mesh, and clutchesfor connecting saidworm wheels respectively in driving relation with thegears driven thereby. 1

37. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a rotatable feedingmember .ed to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motoroperated driving means for said member including coaxial worms rotatingon horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machine, worm wheelsdriven thereby and rotating on parallel axes, gears arranged coaxiallywith said worm wheels respectively, a gear secured to said feed memherand with which said last mentioned gears mesh, and clutches forconnecting said worm wheels respectively in driving relation with thegears driven thereby.

S8. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members arranged in coaxial relation and each adapted tocooperate dire tly with fl xible feeding means, and motor operateddriving means for said members including a slow speed mechanismincluding alined shafts one operatively connected to each feedingmember, and a fast speed mechanism including anned shafts arrangedparallel to said first mentioned shafts and likewise respectivelyconnected to said members.

39. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablefeeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members including agear secured to each feed member, a slow speed driving mechanism foreach member including gears meshing with said feed member gearsrespectively, and a fast speed driv- With said feed member gearsrespectively.

40. A mining machine feeding mechani m including relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members of the same size mg mechanismincluding gears also meshing diameter and rotatable at like peripheralspeeds and either capable of acting as feed member and a controllingmember, flexible feeding means cooperating with said members, and pluralspeed driving mechanism for sa members for rotating the latter in adirection to draw in their respective fleJiblc feed ng means atrelative"; lngli spee or relat "ely low speed including a separate anddistinct slow speed mechanism for each memher and a fast speed drivingmechanism coiumon to both members, each of said fast and slowspeed'mechanisms including fast and slow speed friction controllingclutches individual to each member. I

o 4-1. A. mining machine feeding mechanism includingrelatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members of the same size and diameter androtatable at like peripheral speeds and either capable of acting as afeed member and a controlling member, flexible feeding meanscoopcratingwith said members, and a plural speed driving mechanism for said membersfor rotating the latter either separately or simultaneously in adirection to draw in their respective lexible feeding means atrelatively high 386d or at relatively low speed includ ng aseparase anddistinct slow speed mechanism for eachmember and a fast speed drivingmechanism common to both members, each of said fast slow speedmechanisms inclu ingfast and slow speed friction controlling clutchesindividual to each member.

42. A mining machine feeding mechanism eluding relatively rotatable feedop :ating and controlling members of the same size and diameter androtatable at .ike peripheral feds, flexible feeding means cooperatingwithsaid members, a plural speed driving means for s id members forrotating the lat ter either separately r simultaneously in a directionto draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a separateand dis tinct slow speed mechanism for each member and a fast speeddriving mechanism commonto both members, each of said fast and slowspeed mechanisms including fast and slow speed friction controllingclutches in dividual to each member, and means for con necting eachmember to its respective mechanism at will.

' A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating controlling members of the same size and diameter androtatable at like peripheral speeds, flexible feeding means cooperatingdirectly w th said members, and a plural ing means for said members forrotating the latter either separately or simultaneouslyin a directiontodraw in their respective flexible feeding means including a separateand distinct frictionally cont. lled slow speed mechanism for eachmember, a frictionally controlled fast speed driving '5] mechanism beingentirely inoperative during drive of said members through said slowspeed mechanism.

4.4. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means including a separate and distinct slow speed mechanism foreach member each having a terminal driving element, and a fast speeddriving mechanism having a terminal driving element common to bothmembers, said fast speed driving mechanism being inoperative to drivesaid members during driving thereof by said slow speed mechanisms.

45. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means at relatively high speed or at relatively low speedincluding a separate and distinct slow speed gear train having aterminal driving gear for each member, and a fast speed gear trainhaving a terminal driving gear common to both members and alined shaftsone connected to each member and driven by said fast speed terminalgear.

means for connecting each member to its respective mechanism at will,said fast speed driving mechanism being inoperative to drive saidmembers during driving thereof by said slow speed mechanisms.

47. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a directionto draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means at relatively high speed or at relatively low speedincluding a separate and distinct slow speed gear train having aterminal driving gear for each member, a fast speed gear train having aterminal driving gear common to both members and alined shafts one"connected to each member and driven by said fast speed terminal gear,and means for connecting each member to its respective gear trains atwill.

48. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving meansfor said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means including a separate and distinct frictionally controlledslow speed mechanism for each member each having a terminal drivinggear, a frictionally controlled fast speed driving mechanism having aterminal driving element common to both members, friction controllingmeans ineach mechanism for connecting each member to its respectivemechanisms at will, and operating means for said controlling meansf'orpreventing connecting of said members to said fast speed drivingmechanism while said members are connected to said slow speedmechanisms.

49. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling'members each adapted to cooperatedirectlywith flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mecha nism forsaid members for rotating the latter either separately or simultaneouslyin a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means orto'permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out theirrespective flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictionalresistance including a separate and distinct frictionally controlledslow speed mechanism for each member each having a friction controllingclutch, a frictionally control-led fast speed driving mech anism commonto both members and including a friction controlling clutch individualto each member and distinct from said first mentionedcontrollingclutches, and operating means for said clutches for precludingapplication of said fast speed controlling clutches when said slow speedcontrolling clutches are applied and vice versa.

50. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and'controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means, to permit said members to name:

rotate in a direction to pay out their respective flexible feeding meansunder various degrees of frictional resistance or Without suchresistance including a separate and distinct frictionally controlledslow speed mechanism for each member and a frictionally controlled fastspeed driving mechanism common to both members, said fast speed drivingmechanism including friction controlling clutches one individual to eachmember for connecting said members thereto, said fast speed drivingmechanism being entirely disconnected from said members during drive ofsaid members by said slow speed mechanisms.

51. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mecha;nism for said members for rotatingthe latter in a direction to draw intheir respective flexible feeding means either separately orsimultaneously at relatively high speed or i at relatively low speed orto permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out theirrespective flexible feeding means un' der various degrees of frictionalresistance including a separate and distinct frictionally controlledslow s eed gear train for each member, a frictiona ly controlled fastspeed gear train common to both members, and friction controllingclutches operable at will for connecting either member to its respectivegear trains and including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and aseparate slow speed friction controlling clutch, said fast speed geartrain beingentirely disconnected from said members during drive of saidmembers by said slow speed gear trains.

52. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feedlng means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members'for rotating the latter in a direction todraw in their respective flexible feeding means either separately orsimultaneously at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed andwhereby said members may rotate in a direction to pay out theirrespective flexible feedingmeans under various degrees offrictional'resistance or without such resistance including a separateand distinct frictionally controlled slow speed gear train for eachmember, a frictionally controlled fast speed gear train common to bothmembers, and friction controlling clutches operable at will'forconnecting either member to their respective gear trains and including afast speed friction controlling clutch and a separate slow speedfriction controlling clutch, said fast speed gear train being entirelydisconnected ing: and controllingmembers each; adapted to. cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding mcans,and a plural speed drivingmechanism for-said members;for rotating thelatterieithet separately orsimultaneously: in a vdirection:

to; (ilRWviHI-thGlP respective flexible feeding:

means atrrelativelyhigh speed orat relatively low speed 'includingzaseparate and distinct slow'tspeed gear-train and friction controllingclutclr for each member, and a frictionally controlled fastrspeed geartrain common te both members and includinga friction clutclr individualitO each member 1 for connecting saidniemberseto said fastspeed'gearitrmin, said fast speed; gear; being entirely disconnectedfromisaizd ;1I16!Ilb.81$- duringdriveofwsaidqmembers by said slowspeedxgear trains. f

' 5a,. .Aeminiing machine feeding mechanism com-prising relativelyrotatable feed operat-- ing and controlling members each adapted tocooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speeddriving mechanism for said members for rotating the latter eitherseparately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respectiveflexible feeding means at relatively high speed or at relatively lowspeed and whereby said members may rotate in a direction to pay outtheir respective flexible feeding means under various degrees offrictional resistance including a separate and distinct slow speed geartrain and friction controlling clutch for each member, and africtionally controlled fast speed gear train common to both members andincluding a friction clutch individual to each member for connectingsaid members to said fast speed gear train, said fast speed gear I trainbeing entirely disconnected from said members during drive of saidmembers by said slow speed gear trains.

55. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding, means, and a plural speed drivingmechanism for said members for rotating the latter either separately orsimultaneously in a direction to draw in their respectiveflexiblefeedingmeans at relatively high speed or at relatively low speedand whereby'said membersmay rotate in a direction to pay out theirrespective flexible feeding means under various degrees of frictionalresistance or without such resistance including a separate and distinctslow speed gear train and friction controlling clutch for each member,and a frictionally controlled fast speed gear train common to bothmembers and including a friction clutch individual to each member forconnecting said members to said fast speed gear train,

said fast speed gear train being entirely disconnected from said membersduring drive of said members by said slow speed gear trains.

I 56. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatablefeed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mecha-12 nism for said-members including a slow speed geartrain for onemember, a separate and distinct slow speed gear train for the othermember, a fast speed gear train, a friction controlling clutch for eachmember for coni necting each member toits respective slow speed geartrain, a plurality of friction controlling clutches one for each memberfor connecting each member to said fast speed gear train, and operatingmeans for said 0 clutches for precluding application'of said fast speedclutches when said slow speed clutches are applied and vice versa.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

